Psittacosaurus

Psittacosaurus
Name meaning	Parrot lizard
Diet	Herbivore
Height	0.6 meters (2 feet)
Length	1.2 meters (4 feet)
Weight	20 kilograms (44 lb)
Location	Thailand, China, Mongolia
Range	Isla Sorna Isla Nublar
Game appearances	Jurassic Park III: Park Builder The Lost World: Jurassic Park (sounds)
Theme park appearances	Jurassic Park: The Ride (Hollywood) Jurassic Park: River Adventure

Psittacosaurus is a small early Marginocephalian from the Early Cretaceous Period. It lived in what is now Asia. It is known from a number of well preserved skeletons, which represent about eight different species.

Psittacosaurus was one of the smallest and most primitive of the Marginocephalians. It lacked the well-developed frill and horns that were typical of more advanced forms, yet, along with the hard keratinous beak, it had the characteristic skull shape of a ceratopsian. In fact, Psittacosaurus is now believed to be an ancestor of the larger, more advanced horned dinosaurs.

Psittacosaurus‘ hindlimbs were longer-although only slightly-than its forelimbs, which suggests that it could have moved about in an upright position for short distances. In 2002, quills were found in Psittacosaurus‘ tail, possibly suggesting that these quills were present in all later ceratopsians.

An extraordinarily well preserved Psittacosaurus with skin covering much of it's skeleton was discovered. Large parts of the skin were preserved as a thin dark layer, where the skin has been transformed into a dark carbonized matter.

Wikipedia has a more detailed and comprehensive article on Psittacosaurus

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Jurassic Park: Dangerous Games

In Dangerous Games, Psittacosaurs were seen in groups/or in nests, and were extremely protective to it's infants, lashing out at Agent Espinoza when he stumbles upon their nest at the hydroelectric plant on Isla Nublar.

Psittacosaurus on Jurassic Park: The Ride

Theme parks

Psittacosaurus can be seen at Jurassic Park: The Ride and is located in Ultrasaurus lagoon. It lacks the quills found on it's tail.

Concept art

Video games

Jurassic Park III: Park Builder

Psittacosaurus was featured in the Gameboy Advance game Jurassic Park III: Park Builder. It lacks the quills found on it's tail.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Sounds of the Psittacosaurus can be heard in ambience of some forest areas on Isla Sorna.

Vocalizations

As it does not appear in any of the films, only rides and games, Psittacosaurus is only known from its laughing-like hoots. The hooting sound of the Psittacosaurus is made from the hooting sounds of the White-bellied green pigeon, a bird native to Asia much the dinosaur itself.

Links

• InGen's website article